Village of Recovery

As you go through Maharashtra near Shilimb village, you see a field of sunflowers. The vivid yellow hue of the flowers, drifting with the wind and absorbing the sunshine against a crystal-clear blue sky, gives the impression of being captured in a picture. A field of millets is dwarfed by a sugarcane crop up ahead. The verdant fields are complemented by greenhouses, which are hubs of floriculture. Ahead, the flame of the forest, also known as palash, has just begun to blossom, displaying a vivid orange color. There is wildlife wherever you turn. Shilimb, tucked away in the Western Ghats, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, is a place to unwind and reconnect.

Nestled among lush greenery, Dharana Wellness Retreat offers ecological efforts such as recycling greywater, stormwater control, and replanting. On the 330-acre site, there are wellness programs that combine holistic treatments, Iyengar yoga, pranayama, Tibetan bowl meditation, and clay therapy. Inspired by the fork-to-table movement, the Green Table restaurant offers modern, nutrient-dense, and healthful food made with products straight from the organic garden.

While you watch the purple-rumped sunbird sitting on a flower and consuming its nectar, you hear the chirping of a red-vented bulbul. Their day has started, and yours too. A party of tourists is prepared to hike up Shilimb Peak. The plateau top, rising 921 meters above sea level, seems intimidating from the base. On level terrain, the trek’s beginning is simple. The gradient begins slowly. Crunchy dry leaves feel underboots. Plum Judy and Common Rustic butterflies come, and people take pauses to regain their breath and enjoy the peace of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fort Tung
The naturalist comes to a halt before the wild guava, or Careyaarborea. The tree is referred to as kumbi in Marathi. The fruit’s top features a hollow that resembles a water pot, which is where the name came from. The fruit and bark of this helpful indigenous tree are used to cure snakebites. Additional portions are utilized to cure colds, coughs, and body aches. The leaves resemble those of an almond tree in appearance.

The toughest part of the walk is the last few minutes. To get themselves up, people grab onto the railing that has been erected at the top of the plateau with their arms. The expansive, three-dimensional vision is worthwhile. There is the Pavana Lake in front. A lone falcon soars over the sky. As they say, “no pain, no gain.”